Our Story
Our founder, Jennifer Ellison, is a specialist Speech and Language Therapist who has worked in early years settings since qualifying in 2007. Returning to work full-time after the birth of her second child, she saw an opportunity to introduce early training that could be done at home BEFORE children were referred for Speech and Language Therapy.
Jen created her own baby signing club focussing on teaching parents about the benefits of introducing visual sign language to their little ones as their verbal language developed. Soon after starting, her classes were sold out across South Manchester.
With two children at home and an already existing career, Jen realised this wasn’t something she could grow by herself. She trained more early years professionals and franchisees from multiple children’s activity providers on the advantages of using Makaton signs and symbols to help children’s communication skills flourish.
About Us
We are a group of Early Years Speech and Language Therapists, Training Managers and Makaton tutors delivering expert Makaton Training Sessions for early years partners throughout the UK.
Drawing on years of experience, our training is tailored specifically for childcare education sectors. We work across a range of ages from baby and toddler activity right up to early years settings.
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Our Mission
Communication as a basic skill
We want to help people from all areas of life to be able to use just a few Makaton signs and symbols so that people who rely on Makaton to communicate can do so successfully.
We know from our experience of working with children, young people and adults with communication difficulties that sign language is an invaluable and transferable skill to use in the wider world.
But, most of all, we need your help. By learning just a few makaton signs and symbols in your everyday communication, you can make the world more accessible for those that need it.
By becoming Makaton Friendly, you will open your business up to a new world of enthusiastic customers. In attaining and communicating your Makaton Friendly status you are driving positive change and helping to improve accessibility for people living with learning and communication difficulties in your local area.
The Makaton Charity